Sydney, Australia
As she prepares to take the reins of national Christian charity Mission Australia, Sharon Callister says she often wondered about God’s purpose as her career in the not-for-profit sector evolved.
Callister, whose working life began as a registered nurse, says she is “thrilled, excited, humbled and blessed” to be appointed as incoming CEO of Mission Australia on 22nd February, taking over from incumbent James Toomey.
Sharon Callister, who takes over as CEO of Mission Australia from James Toomey on 22nd February. PICTURE: Supplied.
“Sometimes I look back and I think, ‘Wow! How did I get from there to here?’,” Callister told Sight. “Sometimes in my early days, I would say to God, ‘I’m not really sure why you’ve placed me here’, but obviously everything is in God’s time. This time I feel that I am totally in sync and I feel that He has placed me here without a doubt; I feel that all the other jobs that I have done have prepared me for this opportunity.”
Callister joins the 160-year-old organisation after more than 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, including as CEO of the Presbyterian and Methodist Schools Association Queensland, The Salvation Army Aged Care Plus and The Salvation Army Humanitarian Mission Services.
She says there are “a lot of synergies” aligning her personal values and the organisation’s values, not least of which is her Christian faith and trust in God, who she says has guided her working life to her new appointment.
“All of those roles I have had have been CEO roles and have required me to obviously lead an organisation with passion and with conviction and vision. But it’s the Christian faith element in particular that has really allowed me to do that…the fact that it’s focused on Jesus Christ…the whole purpose…and what they do is basically serving people in need, obviously being inspired by Jesus and being able to allow people to know about Jesus…and sharing that with them as well,” she said.
Mission Australia has provided services to struggling and homeless Australians since 1859.
Today, it works with churches, stakeholder partners and government to provide help with homelessness and social housing support, alcohol and drug dependence, mental health, family and youth services, financial services, disability inclusion, education and training and more.
Callister said as she steps into the role, a priority for her will continue to be effecting change in the homeless community.
“The big thing, if you’re looking at it from a Mission Australia perspective, we have a very big focus on homelessness and if you look at the goal of Mission Australia being to end homelessness – and ensure people and communities can thrive – that’s a big proportion of the work that is done by Mission Australia.”
This would involve many services to support getting laws changed, advocacy position papers, dealing with the right levels of government and people in government.
But she said there are “so many areas of need that Mission Australia supports – there is a big list”.
“The great thing about Mission Australia is that because it is such a large organisation, they have resources in all of those key areas so they can make a difference, but ultimately [it’s about] wanting to make sure that people and communities in need can thrive.”
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In a statement announcing her appointment this month, Mission Australia Chairman Ken Dean described Callister as “an excellent appointment” for the organisation.
“We are impressed by her clear passion, purpose, energy and extensive experience within the sector, and her forthright and engaging commitment to Mission Australia’s Founding Purpose.
“Sharon brings real energy to all she does – from her love of ultra- marathon running to her focus on good business processes and outcomes.”
Toomey described Callister as “a passionate advocate for the people we workalongside, and I know she’ll bring energy and determination to the role”.
It’s an energy, drive and focus that Callister herself says is reflected in joy and excitement to be doing something worthwhile.
“Most of the role, or a lot of the role, in these organisations is just pure excitement that you can actually change the course of someone’s life; that you can just speak up for someone who is vulnerable who doesn’t have a voice themselves.”
